CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY THREE – CHECKING OUT THE COMPETITION

They paid their bill and left, both feeling a mix of impressed and worried. As they walked back to The Rusty Anchor, they dissected everything they'd observed. "The cocktails are incredible," Linda said. "And that Jax person seems to be some kind of mixology genius." Charlotte nodded. "The food, too. I hate to say it, but it might even be better than Tony's. And did you see how efficient the staff was? Always smiling, always attentive." "And those marketing tactics," Linda added. "Buy one get one free, loyalty programs, live music... They're really pulling out all the stops." They reached The Rusty Anchor, which looked shabby and dated in comparison to The Golden Mug. Mr. Davies was waiting for them, his face etched with worry. "Well?" he asked as soon as they walked in. "How bad is it?" Charlotte took a deep breath. "It's... challenging, Mr. Davies. We should sit down for this." They gathered around a table, and Charlotte and Linda took turns explaining everything they'd observ